The First Friday Art March, a gallery hop between about a dozen arts-related businesses in SoFo (south of Forsyth Park), has been a labor of love for those involved for nearly a year.

This monthly event provides an after-hours opportunity for locals and visitors to support the inspiring entrepreneurs who are committed to showcasing local art, music and food outside the technical boundaries of Savannah’s historic district.

“There are many great and unique businesses outside of downtown that deserve to be highlighted and recognized,” says Kay Wolfersperger, the graphic designer behind the Art March brand. “Art March is a platform to celebrate them and bring attention to what they offer. There is a First Friday program for businesses downtown, but there wasn’t anything like that for businesses and galleries south of Forsyth Park.”

“The Art March was initially started and organized by Desoto Row Gallery, and we at Foxy Loxy were excited to participate and help promote the monthly event,” Jenkins says. “I have gradually become more involved in organizing as well as promoting the Art March with lots of help from a great group of dedicated artists and organizers. Foxy always has a great turn-out for First Fridays as we always are celebrating a new Printmaking Show with a reception and live music.

“Personally, as an artist-turned-business owner, I want to see us creative folk organize ourselves in order to support each other and share what we do with the broader community.”

Art March is a key event for SoFo and continues to grow in popularity because “visitors are excited to discover businesses off the ‘beaten path,’” Wolfersperger says.

Jenkins adds: “I think Savannah attracts people who want to experience something unique to this part of the country and unique to Savannah, whether they are coming here for the weekend, coming here as students or if they have decided to make Savannah their home. Chain restaurants and shops clearly don’t feed the need to find what is special and authentic. Lucky for us locally-run businesses, we have a population here interested in supporting what we do.”

Beyond the business-to-consumer interactions, Art March also strengthens business-to-business connections.

“I think the Art March is a way for us to all know each other as well as have an exciting and organized platform for sharing this area with the broader local community, and hopefully travelers as well,” Jenkins says. “We would like to include more businesses/galleries in this area and hope to attract more creative business owners to consider this area of Savannah as the best place to open their doors.”

Wolfersperger, also owner of SoFo printmaking shop The Maker Collective, urges other small businesses to get involved with Art March, too.

“It fosters great networks,” she says. “When you interact with your community, you create connections that can have unexpected and rewarding effects. For me, new clients, friendships and projects spawned just by popping into these businesses and chatting with my neighbors casually on First Fridays.”